Camping Trip Guide

Siblings sitting in a hammock holding Chinet Comfort cups

Cooler weather calls for finally taking an outdoor camping trip. Whether you’re taking a one- or two-night trip, a weekend away from the hustle and bustle with friends or family can be just what you need. Plan on leaving the iPads behind and getting off the grid, but first plan the trip with these quick tips.

1. Plan Ahead

While camping trips are a great way to avoid overscheduled weekends, they do take a little planning to ensure everything goes smoothly. The first thing to consider is where to camp. Camping in the backyard can be fun for small children, while hiking to a campsite can be an exciting adventure. Make sure to pick a site that is best for the guests attending as well as adequate for your skill level. Campgrounds can range from primitive with limited bathrooms and other resources, which likely appeals to advanced campers, to glamping with amenities such as indoor bathrooms, electricity, and beds.

It is also important to plan activities to keep guests of all ages entertained. Activities like hiking, rafting, and fishing can be great to pass the time during the day. If these types of activities aren’t offered at your campsite, simply exploring the area can entertain kids and adults for hours. When the sun begins to set and the grill begins to cool, activities like making s’mores around the campfire and playing flashlight tag are classic.

2. Pack the Food and Drinks

Food is a crucial part of camping! Cooking and eating the food you bring are some of the best activities to do while camping because they allow guests to participate while enjoying each other’s company. If you are camping with more than one family or several friends, split up the food responsibilities. Consider having one person prepare dinner and have another person be in charge of breakfast and/or lunch. Pack food that can stay fresh in a cooler with ice—like proteins, fruits and veggies—or stay out without going bad—like chips, bread, and canned beans.

Having extra snacks on hand is key. Snacks like popcorn, trail mix, granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit are great for camping. Remember to pack a cooler with extra drinks for people of all ages. Even though the weather is cooler outside, you can still get dehydrated while camping. Don’t forget to pack extra water.

3. Stock Up on Supplies

When you are camping, it is better to have too much than not enough. While all supplies are important to camping, a commonly forgotten yet very important item for camping is a trash bag. When spending time in nature, try to abide by the rule “leave no trace.” Having a trash bag on hand makes throwing away waste and food convenient. If you don’t have a dining set for camping, bring disposable tableware like Chinet Classic® plates, Chinet Classic® recyclable clear cups, Chinet Classic® napkins and Chinet Crystal® utensils. Don’t forget the Chinet Comfort® cups for hot chocolate and coffee. Supplies that will help make any camping trip enjoyable are bug spray, sunscreen, and a fan.

Check out our complete packing list below.